TNA lacks brand recognition to get over the hump. Hogan helps that a bit I guess. However, you shouldn't just look at ratings. It's sort of an outdated tool to use as the end-all. Look at other media measurements to see if it's gone up. This is the age of watching shows on just about any device from anywhere at anytime.
I doubt Hogan KILLS ratings, at least no more than a contrived spotfest that nobody except "10 percenters" gives a shit about. For what it's worth, Hogan's sex tape has gotten some press. I doubt if austin aries had a sex tape that it'd get as much attention. Donno if that's good or bad though.
IMO TNA doesn't seem to actually know who their audience is. It's like they book for their friends and their buddies, but then also for the 10 percenters. Which are basically 2 groups you definately should NOT book for.
Also, ratings are an estimate. So the difference between a 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 might not actually even be statistically significant when you factor in sampling error.